In the final episode of Ebru, Seren and Meghan wrap up the podcast. We talk about what the podcast has meant to us and some of the lessons we have learned along the way. We reflect on where our research is now, compared with when we started the podcast 2 years ago! We then finish off by sharing our tentative plans for the future.

Thank you to all our listeners for supporting us throughout the podcast journey!

In this episode we are joined by recent PhD completer Jo Krishnakumar. In the first half we talk about the relationship between activism and academia. In the second half we discuss the final stages of the PhD, handing in your written thesis and sitting an exam called a viva, where you discuss your PhD with two academics. Jo shares their experience and advice for people wondering what it's like to finish.

In this episode of Bending Boundaries, we explore the journey of becoming and being a parent while pursuing a PhD, focusing on the emotional and physical labor involved and the complexities surrounding the concept of 'work-life balance.' This episode provides a heartfelt, vulnerable and connected discussion on the emotional journey of balancing family and academic life. We are hopeful it will offer a resource for those struggling to find connections with other PhD parents or those experiencing anxieties about family planning related to finances and the 'right' or 'wrong' timing.

Joining the conversation is our host Ebru our brilliant guests Malika, Julia, and Caroline, each drawing from personal experiences and sharing their unique journeys of becoming and being parents at different stages of their academic careers.

PhD students often have to do an original piece of research. This involves designing a research project, doing the research, and then writing about what you’ve learned. There are so many different types of research and methods for doing it, including conducting interviews, surveys, and ethnography.

In this episode, Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about their experiences of running their own research projects as part of their PhDs. They discuss research methods, ethics, what it feels like to be in ‘the field’, finding participants and analysing the data collected.

In this episode, Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about their experiences of working on various tasks alongside their PhDs. 

When doing a PhD, working on your project is just one of many activities that take up your time. You might be teaching, submitting papers for journals, reviewing others’ work, or applying to present at conferences. 

In this episode, we discuss how rewarding and challenging these different tasks can be, why they are important, and how PhD researchers are compensated for doing them.

In this episode, join Ebru, Meghan and Seren for a conversation about clothes, manners and etiquette in academia. We talk about the ways we present ourselves as PhD researchers in academic environments, at conferences, when teaching, over email, and on a standard day in the office. We also share some of our more challenging experiences, and talk about how we manage situations when we don’t get the reaction we’re expecting! 

What is diversity and how do we encourage more diversity within PhDs

We’re back for season 2! After a summer break Ebru, Seren and Meghan are back at it. In todays episode we focus on the aim of bending boundaries which is to encourage more diverse representation in PhDs. In the first episode of season 2 we are reflecting on how to encourage more people from diverse (academic) backgrounds to get into PhDs. We explore what diversity means to us and discuss why it is important to encourage more diversity within PhDs. We talk about some of the practical steps taken that have allowed ourselves to transition into a PhD, our experiences and how we think potential students could be encouraged to apply.   

The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership is holding application workshops the dates and event links are listed below:    Monday, November 13 10pm-12pm  NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: Are you a 'Global Majority' Candidate? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-are-you-a-global-majority-candidate-tickets-740094290947   Monday, November 13 1pm -3pm  NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: Returning to Academia? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-returning-to-academia-tickets-740094300977?aff=ebdsoporgprofile    Tuesday, November 14 10 am- 12pm NWSSDTP Applicant Workshop: First in your family to go to University? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nwssdtp-applicant-workshop-first-in-your-family-to-go-to-university-tickets-740094270887?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Join us on Bending Boundaries as we uncover the unique experiences of international PhD students. Delve into the challenges and transformative moments faced by multilingual scholars pursuing doctoral degrees abroad. In this episode, host Ebru has invited two guests to explore the complexities of navigating diverse cultures, academic expectations, and visa restrictions. They also shed light on the importance of destigmatizing the notion of rejection and mental health challenges within the academic community. In this episode we explore the power of intercultural competence and the empathy that arises from embracing diverse perspectives. We also delve into how being multilingual becomes a superpower in bridging cultural divides and fostering a collaboration academic environment.

Whether you're an international PhD student seeking guidance on the application process or an advocate for mental health and diversity, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to this two part episode of Bending Boundaries on Spotify and embark on a journey of the international PhD experience, where multilingualism, empathy, and breaking barriers are at the forefront